INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PLAYERS

EFL Clubs have made a further commitment to supporting young players, by approving proposals to increase the number of home grown players on teamsheets from six to seven in 2017/18.

In a collective bid to help more players make the transition from Academy to first team football, EFL Clubs also agreed to introduce a requirement for at least one club developed player to be named on each teamsheet for any EFL League game from the start of the 2018/19 season.

The changes to the regulations, which aim to create a clearer pathway from clubs’ development programmes into the professional game, were formally approved at an EFL EGM in London following a meeting of all 72 clubs in February.

The changes are welcome news according to EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey.

He said: “I hope this latest commitment made by our clubs is further evidence of the EFL taking the initiative in looking for practical and effective measures that can be introduced to help managers and coaches in the ongoing development of young players.

“It is imperative that we provide young players not only with a platform, but also with the belief that opportunities will be made available to progress from youth to senior football. I am confident that this decision will have a positive and lasting impact on the future of football in this country.”